07/20/05 Farm Bureau labor seminars

Washington Ag July 20, 2005 The Washington Farm Bureau is sponsoring a series of two-hour labor seminars beginning next week. The seminars will cover Farm Bureau's new unemployment management service, a dispute-resolution service provided through the Washington State Grange, Department of Labor wage-and-hour-inspections and new legislation affecting agricultural employers. The sessions are scheduled for July 25th in Lynden and Mount Vernon, July 26th in Wenatchee and Brewster, July 27th in Othello and Pasco, July 28th in Sunnyside and Yakima, July 29th in Belfair and Puyallup and August 2nd in Woodland. Cost is 20-dollars for Farm Bureau members and 80-dollars for non-members. To register or for more information call Scott Dilley at 800-331-3276. Washington is one of 11 states that is getting some of five-million dollars for special projects to protect and enhance Greater sage grouse habitat. The funds are from the USDA and are being provided through three voluntary conservation programs, which in Washington's case will be 331-thousand dollars through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program or EQIP. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns says the funds will boost existing efforts and partnerships with private landowners, local organizations and state agencies to improve the viability of the sage grouse. I'm Bob Hoff.